TThe Karnataka High Court has framed contempt charges against three officials for allegedly failing to implement a 2025 order directing the extension of pensionary benefits to similarly situated employees. A Division Bench of Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju passed the order on September 23, 2026, in a contempt case filed by Sri Mahabaleshwar and another.
The contempt proceedings arose from an order dated April 28, 2025, passed in Writ Petition No. 18058/2023. Relying on an earlier judgment in P. Junjappa v. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Others, the writ court had directed the authorities to extend pensionary benefits to the petitioners on the same terms as similarly situated employees and disburse the arrears within three months of receiving a certified copy of the judgment.
The order also required the authorities to prevent similar arbitrary denials of pensionary benefits and submit a compliance report.
A Special Leave Petition challenging the order was dismissed by the Supreme Court on April 8, 2026. The subsequent review petition was also dismissed on September 16, 2026. The officials submitted that extending pensionary benefits involved financial implications for the State exchequer and required the Finance Department’s concurrence. They stated that the matter was being pursued with the department.
They denied wilful disobedience and tendered an unconditional apology. One official, Ganapathi K, also argued that his transfer to the Shivamogga Working Plan Division in December 2025 absolved him of responsibility.
A Division Bench of Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju was not persuaded by the officials’ explanations. The Court found wilful disobedience of the writ court’s order and noted that the officials had not disclosed any challenge before the Supreme Court to the underlying judgment in P. Junjappa v. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Others, or any review petition filed before the High Court.
The bench observed:
"The conduct of the accused in not challenging the main judgment in P. Junjappa and challenging the order dated 28.04.2025 passed in the Writ Petition No.18058/2023, contempt of which is alleged, is inexplicable."
Rejecting the transfer-related argument, the Court noted that the order had been communicated on May 8 and May 15, 2025, well before Ganapathi K’s transfer. His subsequent transfer, therefore, did not absolve him of his earlier inaction.
The bench further observed that dismissal of the Special Leave Petition had resulted in the writ court’s order attaining finality.
The High Court framed contempt charges against Manoj Kumar, Dr. V. Karikalan and Ganapathi K under Section 12 read with Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. All three pleaded not guilty.
Accused No. 2, Meenakshi Negi, was exempted from appearing because she had to attend a Union Environment Ministry meeting in Delhi. Her matter was listed on October 1, 2026, for framing of charge. The trial was listed for November 16, 2026, and the parties may file their evidence affidavits before then.
Case Title: Sri Mahabaleshwar and Another v. Sri Manoj Kumar and Others
Case Number: CCC No. 1148/2025
